Kenyan Afro-rising recording, award-winning performing and producing artiste Njerae has been named Spotify’s EQUAL Africa programme ambassador this month.
Her songs, which she describes as ‘soulful and refreshing, like a breath of fresh air,’ offer listeners a moment of calm and connection, born from her own journey through personal and societal challenges.
Her journey into music began in quiet rebellion. A naturally introverted soul, she found herself writing as a way to process the world; starting with poetry in the aftermath of a national tragedy, and later transforming those emotions into music. What started as a private outlet grew into a public gift.
“I’m very introverted. Growing up, I realized I would keep things inside and then I’d end up having a huge blow-out which is just not healthy,” she says.
This would later turn into her way of letting things out and one particular time she remembers; “there was a lot of terrorism in the country, around the same time, there was some bomb that blew in a matatu and I remember that was the first time I just wrote.”
Although this was more like a poetry with no melody, she slowly picked up the guitar and started writing with instruments and music became a form of expression rather than putting it out for people to listen to.
“I had specific things I didn’t know how to tell people and it was only through music I could do so, and that is my reason,” she says.
Inspired by African artistes like Sauti Sol and Phy, Njerae found her voice. “Phy was the first African woman I saw playing guitar on stage, singing sad love songs people loved,” she says.
“Her song ‘Taboo’ pushed me to join Sauti Academy, and now I’m here.” Their influence helped her shape a sound that’s both rooted in African music and distinctly her own.
In a male-dominated industry, Njerae stays focused on her goals.
“Me being a woman should not let that stop anyone from listening to my music and it shouldn’t stop me from living the same dream another male artist is currently living. There’s a lot of pros and cons but it’s just a matter of knowing your values and upholding them. Just focus on your goals and dreams and not allowing anything or anyone coming in between that,” she says.
To those hesitant to pursue their dreams, she offers sharp advice: “If you’re dreading it, is it really your dream?” she asks with a laugh. “Nothing good comes easy. People said my music was too wordy or too white, but I ignored them. It’s my dream, and only I know why it matters.”